Secchi disk being lowered into the lake

Trophic Status Index (TSI) is a numerical ranking system for lakes based on water quality. The TSI value is a number between 0 and 100 that represents the productivity of the lake. We calculate TSI by combining three measurements of water quality: total phosphorous, chlorophyll a, and water clarity/transparency (click here to learn more about these water quality parameters). Water samples are collected once every month throughout the summer (generally May through September) at the deepest spot on the lake. A Secchi disk is used to measure water clarity. Based on the results of the sample analysis and the Secchi reading, we are able to asign a TSI ranking to the lake (click here to learn more about Trophic Status Index).

Why Choose AWRL for your Summer TSI Sampling?

AWRL offers quality lab analysis and unparalleled customer service at competitive rates. We’ve been located in the heart of central Minnesota for over 35 years. We know lakes and we take the time to get to know you. Our Summer TSI Program is designed to make it easy for citizen volunteers to be invovled directly in caring for and understanding their lake.

How much does it cost and what does the program involve?

Example TSI Graph

• The annual cost is $200.00 per sampling site. Most lakes use just one sampling site, however for elongated or oddly shaped lakes we may recommend additional sites to get a full picture of water quality for the entire lake.
• Volunteers collect the samples and either bring them or ship them to our laboratory.
• AWRL provides all the necessary sampling bottles and data sheets, and can provide training for a small additional charge.
• Your results will be posted to a customized webpage, where they can be downloaded or viewed in both MS Excel or pdf formats.
• Along with the results, we will offer a brief summary of any observable trends and are available at any time to answer questions about your data.

How do I sign up for the Summer TSI Program? 

Download the enrollement form:  SUMMER TSI PROGRAM

Once we receive your completed form, we will contact you to finalize your enrollment.

Does your lake look like this?

Photo Credit: Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org

 Hopefully not, but if you live on one of the many Minnesota lakes that are infested with curly-leaf pondweed, you know what a problem it can be. Hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars are spent by lake groups each year on hand surveys and chemical treatments, but have you ever wondered if there’s a better way for locating and treating your curly-leaf problem?

Our Aerial Detection Surveys allow you to quickly and efficiently locate the pondweed in your lake, so that you can focus your efforts (and your budget) on the areas where it will make the biggest impact.

Why Use Aerial Detection?

• Quantify weeds in large areas or multiple lakes in a short period of time.
• Monitor growth, changes in location, and areas of new growth over time.
• Increase the effectiveness of your treatment  by prioritizing and directing your focus on the areas of highest concern.
• Dramatically reduce your treatment costs by only treating affected areas.

How do we Map Curly-Leaf?

This type of image collection and processing is accomplished by developing a spectral understanding of the proposed targets (such as Curly-Leaf Pondweed) which is accomplished with the uniquely designed photon capture and camera system that precisely views the target in very narrow frequencies.  By developing an understanding of both the target – in this case aquatic plants – and the background environment, AWRL can set up its camera systems with optics that will maximize reflective differences from other similar targets and background conditions in your lake.

Download our Aerial Curly-Leaf Detection brochure here

I know, it’s difficult to imagine spring while we are in the midst of such a cold snap, but the snow will be melting and the ice gone before you know it. In the mean time, right now is a great time for developing your lake managment plan for the coming year.

Does your associaion have specific concerns about your lake?

Maybe it’s leaking septics, maybe invasive weeds, maybe it’s shoreline buffers – Whatever the problem, let A.W. Research help you to develop a solution. With over 35 years of lake managment expertise and a wide variety of services available we can work with you to develop a specific plan to achieve your water quality goals.

Our unique combination of remote sensing, consutling, and analytical laboratory services allows us to develop unique lake monitoring methods tailored to each individual lake. 

The most common method is to conduct an overflight first. From the results of the flight we work with you to develop a targeted groundtruthing and sampling program for the areas of the lake that are of the highest concern. Check out the links on our remote sensing page for more information on specific services. And as always, we are happy to customize a flight to fit your specific concerns.

Contact us today for a free consultation.

In the ol’ Surf Shop we are more interested in the diatoms that produced the famous North Long Lake “Black Hole”. The Black Hole was caused by a certain type of diatom (a kind of algae) that produces oil as part of their daily pursuit of sunlight. Photosynthetic diatoms produce oil to increase their ability to float and acquire sunlight.  During periods of sunlight, the diatoms rise to the surface carried by a small drop of oil, to undergo photosynthesis.  At night, they release this oil at the surface, allowing them to sink back to rest at the bottom. Anybody out there interested in how much oil these little gems produced per day?

Click on the links below to learn more about Brainerd’s famous Black Hole:

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=129880&page=1

http://www.ufodigest.com/northlake.html

 http://brainerddispatch.com/stories/122504/out_1225040001.shtml

 http://www.theholestoryfilm.com/

Large companies with thousands of employees such as Lockheed Martin have special research facilities like the Lockheed Skunk Works.  A.W. Research Laboratories has its own called “The Surf Shop”.

Throughout the year we will be posting some interesting ideas that have been floating around the Surf Shop and are interested in your thoughts and comments. Feel free to post your comments below. We’d love to hear your ideas!

We will be closed December 24th – 27th and December 31st. Due to these holiday closures we will be unable to accept drinking water samples on Thursday December 23rd and Thursday December 30th. Please call with any questions: 218-829-7974.

Through our unique remote sensing abilities, A.W. Research has developed a camera that measures TSI values for the entire lake. Traditional TSI sampling methods involve sampling only one location on the lake, which is usually the deepest hole or the center of the lake.  This can give a distorted picture of the actual conditions for the entire lake. For example, if the sample comes out oligotrophic in the center of the lake we assume the lake is healthy. But there may be eutrophic or hypereutrophic (extremely eutrohphic) conditions elsewhere in the lake that the sample doesn’t show. Our TSI Mapping Flight images show TSI values for the entire lake, so that problem  areas can be located and taken care of before the whole lake is affected.

Please contact Sarah (sarah@awlab.com)  to get a customized price quote for your lake.  All flights will be completed in August so be sure to get your flight booked today!

2010 Lake-Friendly Development Awards

For the 8^th year in a row, the Crow Wing County Lakes and Rivers Alliance (better known as LARA) is joining forces with other regional and statewide conservation organizations including A.W. Research Laboratories to publicly recognize homeowners, contractors, local units of government and other organization who have chosen to develop or redevelop lakeshore and river front properties in full compliance with shoreland zoning ordinances and ecologically sustainable and sensitive principles.  The hope is that through these awards, ecologically sensitive development along lakeshore/river front will become the fashionable trend.  The future health of the region’s lakes and rivers depends on it.

Categories for consideration are lake-friendly home construction, lakescaping, lake-friendly protection strategy, and lake/river stewardship.  Applications, which are very easy to fill out, will be accepted until September 1, 2010.  If you have a nomination for this year’s awards, or if you have questions, or if you would like a copy of the application, please contact Phil Hunsicker of 1000 Friends of Minnesota by email at phunsicker@1000fom.org, by phone at 218-824-5095, or write to Phil c/o 1000 Friends of Minnesota at 213 South Fifth Street, Brainerd, MN 56401.  Projects on any riparian property (on lakes or rivers) in Cass, Crow Wing, Aitkin, Morrison, Todd, northern Mille Lacs, or southeastern Wadena counties are eligible.

Get more information and the nomination form here.

Project Partners

1000 Friends of Minnesota
Brainerd Lakes Area Audubon Society (BLAAS)
Minnesota Waters
Crow Wing County Lakes and Rivers Alliance (LARA)
DNR Nongame Wildlife Program
DNR Section of Fisheries
DNR Division of Waters
Minnesota Chapter of the American Fisheries Society
The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
A.W. Research Laboratories
University of Minnesota Extension
Crow Wing County Soil and Water Conservation District

We are excited to have a blog and will be posting images and company news here. Enjoy your stay and stop back soon for new updates.

Flying one of the world’s only remote sensing amphibious aircraft, AWRL camera systems are also used to measure and model nutrient loading from watersheds.  Our Remote Sensing Division offers the following basic services:

Aerial Lakeshore Analysis (ALA)

• Point and non-point pollution detection of every lakeshore property
• Ordinance conformity of each lot
• Best management recommendations for each individual property

Environmental Assessment Overflight (EAO)

• Detects major environmental impact areas
• Provides “what to do next” recommendations

Groundwater Intrusion Overflight (GWI)

• Evaluate thermal gradients indicating groundwater intrusion

Ground Truthing

• Training in ground Truthing
• On the ground detection

Watershed Assessment and Land Use Planning

• Watershed modeling
• Land use classification

Feedlot Overflight

• Feedlot inventories and analysis
• Permit compliance

Aerial Photography and Videography

• Aerial photos of your lake, home, or property

Aquatic Vegetation and Mapping

• Ideal for mapping “exotic” vegetation such as milfoil and curly leaf pondweed
• Ability to delineate and classify wetland types

Eurasian Milfoil Detection

• Location and images
• Estimated size of each area

Forensic Flights

• Drowning victims
• Lost or missing persons